The first GOP debate is just hours away, and Gov. Ron DeSantis is under pressure to show donors and voters that he has a shot against former President Donald Trump, who won’t be on stage tonight. But what's it like to face off against him in a debate? Two ex-U.S. House candidates who debated DeSantis in 2012, Republican Dr. Fred Costello and Democrat Heather Beaven, say the Harvard-educated lawyer came to the stage well prepared — but his facial expressions often betrayed how he was feeling. Here’s what else they remember: On mastering the material: Costello, who supports DeSantis for president, said that DeSantis’ “verbiage and how he presented himself” was impressive, and that he had a strong understanding of national issues. It was clear to him, however, that DeSantis had his eye on higher office and was using the congressional seat as “a stepping stone to bigger things,” given that he had an “apparent lack of knowledge or interest in local issues.” Costello told DeSantis after one of the debates that he wouldn’t be upset if he lost to him, he said, because they had similar positions and he thought DeSantis could represent Florida's 6th congressional district well on national issues. “Ron was never asked a question in which he did not know what was going on or know his position,” Costello said. “He didn't have to pontificate or give a qualified answer. He always had an answer. He knew his stuff. That’s why I was impressed with him” Even Beaven conceded that DeSantis was prepared for the debate. “He has prepared for this time since Little League,” she recalls thinking during that election more than a dozen years ago. While she detected “strong memorization skills,” Beaven said DeSantis mostly showed it by locking into soundbites and being “masterful at reusing them.” On facial expressions: In his two successful bids for governor, DeSantis has faced a couple of viral moments sparring with Democrats. The first was in 2018, when then-Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum lobbed the accusation that “racists think he’s a racist,” and the second was in 2022 when then-Rep. Charlie Crist (D-Fla.) put him on the spot over whether he’d run again. Beaven saw familiarity in the way DeSantis reacted to these moments, describing him as having a temper and showing flashes of irritation. “He doesn't have a lot of facial control,” she said. “He doesn’t have a poker face.” On demeanor: Beaven noted that DeSantis would stare at the crowd or the camera and smile after delivering his responses to the moderator. She called his delivery “robotic” and said she had trouble connecting with him onstage. “He stares ahead and he doesn’t look at you at all,” she said. She recalled another instance, during the primary, in which DeSantis looked at his phone while other candidates were speaking during a panel discussion. Costello, however, disagrees with people who say that DeSantis has “no charisma,” though he agreed his former rival “was not much for chit chat.” His theory was that his team was selective about where he should spend his time. “I found him to be both quick witted and focused rather than aloof or condescending,” he said. On manners: As a woman facing off against a man, Beaven took notice that DeSantis would call her “Mrs. Beaven” onstage (she called him Ron). Her husband also was deployed to Afghanistan at the time, so she knew it would be sensitive with the audience if DeSantis were to bully or say anything unseemly toward a female military spouse onstage. “He was always quite polite,” she said. “He attacked me in the normal way: calling me a Nancy Pelosi ally and a European Socialist.” Beaven and Costello said they’ll be tuning into tonight's debate. — WHERE'S RON? Gov. DeSantis will appear at Fox News Channel’s GOP presidential debate in Milwaukee at 9 p.m. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch at: kleonard@politico.com THE ONLY FLORIDA MAN ON THE STAGE — In a bid at counter-programming, former President Donald Trump will air a taped interview with Tucker Carlson (by the way: POLITICO has a handy look back at key moments when Trump did show up to debate). The other Floridian in the race, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, didn’t make the cut for the debate stage, and issued a statement Tuesday afternoon saying he was “sorry” his voice would be left out of Wednesday’s event. (GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz mocked him over falsely saying he qualified. POLITICO spotted the congressman already on the ground in Milwaukee on Tuesday.) DEBATE BINGO — Are you watching the GOP debate tomorrow at 9 p.m.? Join POLITICO for live analysis and bingo! Whoever gets bingo first and posts a screenshot of it to their X/Twitter account (with #politicobingo) or Instagram Story (tag us @politico) will get a shoutout in the next day’s Playbook — and we’ll even send you some POLITICO swag. Get a preview of your board at politico.com/bingo. | 
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